Road - class 3 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This site is located in industrial peatlands in Castletown Bog. It was first sighted during the 2013 Reassessment Peatland Survey in an E-facing drain face 0.39m below the field surface (Whitaker 2014). On excavation in 2016 (licence 15E0188) it was classified as a N-S oriented brushwood togher, and given a date of cal. 1424-1281 BC (UBA 26651). The togher was overlain and underlain by poorly decomposed Sphagnum peat. Two cuttings were opened at this location.

At the first cutting (OF-CTN002, Photo 1), measuring 2x6m, the site was composed of regularly shaped brushwood, occasionally secured in place with brushwood pegs and with occasional transverse elements. The structure ranged in width from 0.68-1.45m, and appeared to terminate just within the S baulk. The elements were closely placed and sometimes laid up to four layers deep. Several worked ends were noted, mostly chisel-points with flat single facets. Many had bark intact and showed evidence of branch trimming.

The second cutting (OF-CTN002b, Photo 2) measured 3x6m and was located 17m S of the first. Here, the site was composed of closely placed NNE-oriented brushwood elements, forming a surface of 0.78-1.2m in width and terminating 4m into the cutting. The elements were in moderate to good condition. Several toolmarked ends were noted, mostly showing chisel- and wedge-pointed ends.

Compiled by: Jane Whitaker/Femke Vleeshouwer

Date of upload: 20th February 2020

References

Whitaker, J. 2014 Re‐assessment Peatland Survey 2013, Blackwater, Boora, Derrydreenagh, Mountdillon Group of Bogs, County Offaly, Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon. Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.

Whitaker, J. 2017 Final excavation report, Castletown Bog, Co. Offaly (15E0188-15E0189). Unpublished report prepared by IAC Ltd submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.